El Mago De Las Fritas has made its home in Miami on 8th street (Calle Ocho) since 1984, though it’s not the only frita place on Calle Ocho. Four of the five old-school Frita Cubana Joints (El Mago de las Fritas, El Rey de las Fritas, Fritas Domino & La Palma) are on Calle Ocho.
Years ago, on my way home from my parent’s house, I came across El Mago De Las Fritas (5828 SW 8th Street, West Miami). The first few times I attempted to stop here, there were no parking spaces available (there are only three spots). You would think I would have given up, but one day I was finally able to find a parking space and eat El Mago’s magical frita. I regret not having made an effort to hang around and find parking sooner elsewhere.
Do not park in one of the three reserved spots unless, of course, you are eating there. If you do, you might witness Ortelio, aka El Mago (yes, that’s the owner’s nickname, it translates to “Magician”) make his way outside and scream at them to move their cars…with a spatula in hand! He’s too awesome. Once inside, you must, of course, then order one of El Mago’s famous Fritas.
IMPORTANT INFO
You might want to read my Frita Cubana page.
Back to your regularly scheduled post
A frita or Cuban hamburger could be made up of any combination of ground beef, chorizo, pork, and spices topped with onions, homemade julienne potatoes, and ketchup (sometimes) on a roll of some sort. El Mago’s frita is straight-up lean ground beef with spices, don’t let your palate fool you.
The frita has a very distinct flavor and will cause a flavor explosion in your mouth. No other burger tastes like this. And don’t order your frita with cheese unless you want to look like a tourist. Fritas purists frown upon adding any cheese to the sandwich.
I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you the Frita Cubana with cheese is good, but nothing beats the original. You can also next level your order with a Frita Doble (double meat) or Frita a Caballo (with a fried egg).
Everything is delicious
They’re all delicious. Don’t miss out on ordering the crinkle-cut fries at El Mago de las Fritas. There’s something very high school about them. El Mago salts them for you, you just need that ketchup puddle to dip them in, and you’re good to go.
Of course, the Frita Cubana isn’t the only thing on the menu here. El Mago makes a mean pan con bistec (steak sandwich) with the julienne potatoes & onions, I add mayo. The Pan con Tortilla Calljera (omelet sandwich loaded with ham, cheese, julienne potatoes, and onions) is another winner. Remember that his homemade flan is also great, but don’t get ahead of yourself. Start with a frita because this is one of the best fritas in town, hands down!
MORE IMPORTANT INFO
On Saturdays, El Mago makes chicharrones (fried pork rinds) & ajiaco (beef & veggie stew). The chicharrones are made in small batches, so I would call ahead in the morning to see what time everything is ready. On a typical Saturday, by early afternoon, they’re all gone.
All Hail El Mago:
El Mago De Las Fritas
5828 SW 8th Street
Miami, Florida
305-266-8486
As a Jewish guy from Brooklyn, there are some things I just dont get. Once I took a non Jewish girlfriend to Rascal House, and as if in a Woody Allen movie she ordered a pastrami sandwhich on white bread with mayo. She simply could not get the rye bread concept.
I was very excited to go to this place as it is very close to where I work. I ordered the Frita with cheese and the pan con bistec. the thing is i dont get the bread? Why take a perfectly good bread and flatten and harden it? Its a cultural thing me thinks.
I thought it very good, as this was my first fritas i didnt know what to expect. worth having again, but i dont have a sentimental attachment.
The bistec, ultra salty, but good, also worth having again. The fries nothing special.
They are not open on sundays, so my chances of getting the chicarhones are nil.
Not bad, but i t hink i lack the cultural attachement to find this place amazing.
The Chicharrones are Saturday though.
Demasiado ricas……….Las quiero todas!!!!!
another place of note is Fritas Domino. it's on 8th street anbd 68th avenue. the last store on the shopping strip. it's a dive but DAMN those are some good fritas. they do al the regular ones, too.
If you guys think this frita is good you obviously haven't tried El Rey de Las Fritas which blows El Mago away!!! El Mago's fritas are ok but there's no comparison!
Good evening
Definitely gonna recommend this post to a few friends
I'll have the frita a caballo please. 🙂
One (maybe two) Frita a Caballo please. How do you not eat this daily?
If you think that the fritas there are good, the pan con bistec will blow your mind. This steak sandwich topped with the same thin fries is awsome. I think it is even better than the fritas.
I have to comment on the BEST frita outside of Cuba.For the old cubans, they remember la Plaza del Vapor where a lot of food carts use to sell all kind of food.Their fritas were owesome. El Mago have those fritas.I used to have my auto parts next to him so I know. About the greasie and rough, that's the way to eat them, is nothing that a 400 degree heat couldn't kill. If you have a chance stop and get a frita from El Mago.